There are essential bars every Indiana student hits when they hit the big 2-1. Kilroy’s, Sports, The Bluebird, and Bear’s just to name a few. It is not uncommon for bar crawls to start with hairy bears at Bear’s Place before venturing to Kirkwood for Roy’s, The Upstairs, Nick’s and Sports, and eventually ending up at Night Moves. (I didn’t make up this rule, ok? Don’t shoot the messenger.)
But what about the Bloomington bars that aren’t so mainstream? I recently discovered the following hole-in-the-wall bars- all of which I highly recommend.
1. Cardinal Spirits
credit: cardinalspirits.com
922 S. Morton St. Bloomington, IN 47403
This craft distillery is known for using only local ingredients when making their classy cocktails. I highly recommend coming here for a girl’s night out or a happy hour. The service is great, and the outside deck is very picturesque. The vintage and earthy decor makes Cardinal Spirits a charming spot if you choose to opt for a more laid back night.
2. The Root Cellar
credit: uplandbeer.com
108 East Kirkwood Avenue, Bloomington, IN 47408-3330
Located in the alleyway behind Farm, The Root Cellar’s unique atmosphere has many hidden rooms with vintage seating, and really takes you back in time with their music selection. If you like Prince and old school dancing, 10/10 recommend this bar. They also have tons of specials! I'm pretty sure I danced more at The Root Cellar than I have at any other bar.
3. Video Saloon "The Vid"
credit: flickr.com
105 W. 7th Street, Bloomington, IN 47404
The Vid’s relaxed atmosphere is perfect for a low-key night. It’s perfect for enjoying live music, playing billiards and darts and congregating with friends. Many of my guy friends are huge fans of The Vid, if that's any sort of testament to its usual crowd.
4. The Bishop
credit: thebishopbar.com
123 S. Walnut St. Bloomington, IN 47404
Also known for its live music and craft beers, The Bishop is a great bar to go to when you aren’t in the mood to pay cover. Which for me, is always. If I had to choose one bar to compare it to it would probably be Bluebird. They host events in addition to live music, however, such as poetry slams if you're into feelings and whatnot.
5. Yogi's
yogis.com
519 East 10th Street Bloomington, IN 47408
Okay, so I am a little bit biased considering I live right next door. There is nothing better than watching Monday Night Football with a cold beer and some chicken tendies. Definitely my favorite bar on this list, especially since it's a 30-second crawl from my front door.
While these unique bars are some of my favorites--there are still many more Bloomington has to offer. Thankfully I have a semester and a half left to discover them all. Cheers!
